TOD SLOAN 



complaint which he made about me at Sandown Park. 

 Goodness only knows whether I shall ever come under 

 his orders again, so what is said may be taken as really 

 meant. His ability in grasping a situation and 

 throwing his eyes over a very big field is one of the 

 most remarkable powers he has. A thorough horse- 

 man himself he knows when the impossible cannot be 

 tried and would rather risk a delay at the gate than 

 leave an animal, whatever it might be or however 

 unruly it might show itself before the start. While 

 the greatest consideration is given to small boys he can 

 be severe to the older school, but none of the riders I 

 have seen ever like to take a liberty with him ; this 

 comes from both respect and the desire to help him 

 in difficult duties. The task of a starter is so little 

 understood, by the general public. " He's got 'em 

 now, why didn't he let them go," they can say. People 

 several furlongs away imagine they can see all which 

 is taking place, but this is one of the greatest mistakes 

 possible. However this does not upset Mr Coventry, 

 who rides down placidly on his pony, does what he 

 has to, and returns. There was no one madder than 

 he when Nunsuch was left for the Cambridgeshire 

 which has been described in a previous chapter. He 

 bent down and I am sure that he was cursing hard at 

 the misfortune, but I suppose it was only human to 

 be particularly wild that the King's colours had met 

 with a disaster. I watched the starter and his furious 

 regrets and it took off my attention from what had 

 happened to myself. 



I have met Mr Coventry in town on many occasions 

 and he has always been most kind and considerate 

 and with an utter lack of snobbishness ; in fact he 

 was altogether different to many others who were not 

 so well placed nor of such good family. He would 



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